May 28, 2006

Kuwait – Dave Odom and the Camp Patriot “All-N-One” team lost in the semifinals to University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith and the Camp Arifjan “Heat” 54-44 during the Operation Hardwood II basketball tournament in Kuwait Sunday.

All-N-One was up 39-34 with 10 minutes to go before the Heat went on a 20-2 run over the next nine minutes.

“They had four offensive rebounds and put backs, which was too much to overcome,” Odom said. “Our offense and defense went to sleep, but you have to give them credit.”

To reach the final four, Odom’s team defeated Mark Gottfried of University of Alabama and his Camp Virginia “Scorpions.

Odom’s team went 4-1 during the week, and Odom said he was proud of his team’s effort.

“Overall we had a good week,” Odom said. “They played hard and worked well together.”

“They embody the very spirit of team play and it was a real honor to coach them.”

Odom told his players after the game that trophies, pictures, plaques and coins are all important, but the things that are most important are the memories and experiences with each other.

“Every time I think about Kuwait, I will think of my team,” Odom said.

The All-N-One team gave Odom a Camp Patriot hat signed by all the players to thank with for coaching them.

“Basketball and the military have brought strangers together and made friends for life,” Odom said. “It will be easy to go back home and tell everyone how good a job the troops are doing over here.”

Game notes:
All-N-One led at halftime 26-20 against the Heat.
All-N-One was led by shooting guard Micheal Sloan who scored 18 points.
Sloan also won the dunk contest with a perfect 50 points after hanging from the rim by his elbow after dunking with his whole arm in.